Prior to the kick-off of Friday’s Quitman Bulldog game, Lillie Danner and David Tarno were crowned as the Homecoming 2018 Queen and King. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Grand Saline took no time to establish a commanding 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Quitman never recovered as the Indians used a powerful ground game running past the Bulldogs in a 46-16 District 10-3A DII win.

Grand Saline took the opening kick-off, but Gavin Derryberry hauled in an interception to kill the Indian drive. Quitman took over on their own 10 yard line. A pass from Josh Medlin to Trey Berry gave the Bulldogs a first down on the 21 yard line, but the Indian defense held and Quitman was forced to punt. A bad snap sailed over Medlin’s head and he fell on the pigskin at the 10 yard line. From there, Indian quarterback Zane Taylor ran to the one yard line followed by a one yard plunge for a touchdown. The point after try was no good, but the Indians held a 6-0 lead.

The Indians came back to surprise the Bulldogs by recovering an onside kick at the Quitman 36 yard line. It took just two plays for the Indians to score again as Taylor took it in form 26 yards out. Taylor tossed a pass to Montana Martin for the point after conversion and Grand Saline led 14-0 with still 5:18 left in the opening quarter.

Quitman’s Ty Holland returned the ensuing kick-off to the Quitman 36 yard line, but were forced to punt as the Indian defense held. It took just four plays for Grand Saline to score again with Taylor scoring his third touchdown on a 45 yard run with 1:36 remaining in the first quarter to give the Indians a 21-0 lead.

The Bulldogs returned the kick-off to their own 39 yard line. Three plays later, on a fourth and 11, Berry used his speed to outrun Grand Saline defenders on his way to a 45 yard run for a score. Medlin ran in the two point conversion and the Bulldogs cut the score to 21-8 with 11:10 to go in the half.

On Grand Saline’s next possession, Taylor scored on a 40 yard run and the Indians led 27-8 with 8:23 left in the quarter. The Indian defense held and Medlin booted a nice 40 yard punt putting Grand Saline over on their own 20 yard line. Three plays later, Martin raced 61 yards for another Indian score and the teams went to the intermission with Grand Saline up 34-8.

In the second half Grand Saline would score on a safety, an 18 yard run by Jake Humphrey and a field goal by Jose Vargas to extend their lead to 46-8. The Bulldogs would get a final touchdown on a run by Berry and a successful two point conversion to make it a 46-16 final tally.

With the defeat, Quitman falls to 0-2 in district play and 1-3 for the season. The Indians moved to 1-1 in district action and 3-1 for the year. Quitman must regroup quickly as the Bulldogs must travel to Troup Friday to take on a Tiger squad smarting from a 36-14 whipping to Harmony Friday night. The Tigers are 1-1 in district play and 3-2 on the year.

In other district action, Winona just got by Alba-Golden in a close 25-23 and Arp dismantled Frankston 49-6. Harmony, Arp and Winona lead District 10-3A DII with 2-0 records with Troup and Grand Saline next at 1-1. Alba-Golden, Frankston and Quitman are all at 0-2.

Alba-Golden will go to Arp Friday while Grand Saline will be at home against Frankston, Quitman goes to Troup and Harmony will host Winona.